Partnership laying a very firm Foundation
FOOTBALL is uniting students, schools and sport in a community partnership bringing children’s learning to life.
Grace College in Gateshead has become an official partner school of the Newcastle United Foundation, whose education programme seeks to draw on pupils’ passion for their local team to support their learning.
The college, formerly the Joseph Swan Academy, is benefiting from having Ed Cook, a full-time member of the Foundation’s secondary education team, in school every Friday to work on a number of projects with youngsters.
The first group of students in year seven is laying the groundwork for future generations moving up to ‘big school’ by developing resources to support children in their transition from primary to secondary education.
Drawing on their own recent experience of transition, they have devised assembly presentations, designed posters and written welcome letters and information sheets to make the move up easier for current year six pupils in primary schools close to Grace College.
Chris Bland, Head of Upper School at Grace College, said: “The project, which is part of a bespoke programme created with the Foundation, has given the students a real focus which will not only help children in the future but is also supporting their own transition into secondary school life.”
A second cohort of students in year eight is are exploring the business of sport and using football as a vehicle for learning about enterprise and developing their communication and leadership skills, leading to as ASDAN-accredited award.
A third group of year nine students is receiving coaching in lunch breaks, while all-year groups are able to join skills training and recreational football after school.
Bland added: “We have been working on different projects with the Foundation for some time and now we are delighted to be an official partner school.
“It is a fantastic reciprocal relationship.
“Their excellent programme offers all sorts of opportunities for our students, while we understand the value of what they bring and can support the community role they wish to have by embedding their projects into our curriculum.”
Cook added: “It is great to be able to work with Grace College this academic year as part of our Premier League Inspires project.
“The school has embraced this new way of working and the students have engaged superbly in the projects we are delivering in school.
“We are excited about strengthening our partnership further.”